EE launches bundle targeted at pop-up shops

Customers can add other business services, like a card reader, to its pop-up bundle offering

EE has launched a connectivity bundle targeted at the growing number of retail pop-up shops in the UK.

The launch is part of a wider EE marketing initiative called Pop-Up UK to encourage 3,000 entrepreneurs to set up pop-up shops over the next three years.

The operator’s 4G pop-up bundle offers 4G connectivity with a minimum contract length of just 30 days and can also offer other business services, such as a card reader from iZettle. The entry-level price point for the product is £11.25 per month.

EE has partnered with economists CEBR, for research which revealed that pop-up shops currently contribute £2.1 billion to the UK economy each year and that figure is expected to grow by 8.4 per cent by next summer.

The study claims that the sector could achieve double digit growth if technological barriers, such as waiting for fixed-line connectivity, were removed. Other factors harmful to the sector included the lack of appropriate flexible space and obstructive business rates.

Entrepreneurs who are launching a pop-up shop through the scheme will receive mentoring and advice from EE and Ross Bailey who is chief executive officer of Appear Here, an online marketspace for available pop-up space.

“As part of this campaign we’ve launched the Pop-Up Bundle, the world’s first data plan designed specifically to help pop-up retailers overcome the technological barriers they face,” said EE director of small business Mike Tomlinson. “Pop-ups can use the power of our 4G network to connect with their customers via social media, take mobile payments, collaborate with suppliers, and securely access all of their important data in the cloud.”